Page 61 of Faking It

Then he gets in, and I definitely can’t breathe right. He seems much bigger in this space. That shirt looks even yummier on him. His biceps thicker. That mouth… so inviting. I tear my gaze from him and stare out the window as the breath leaves my mouth in a loud rush.

I don’t want to want him. I don’t want to want him. I don’t—

“You okay?”

His deep voice interrupts my mantra. I nod vigorously and start over.

“Look, if dinner is too much for you, we can always—”

“No.” I turn to him. Big mistake. He’s licking his goddamn lips. Shifting my attention to the entertainment system on the dashboard, I go on. “Dinner is fine. In fact, I’m starving.” I’d been too caught up with conversation to partake of the hors d'oeuvres they’d been serving back there.

“Good. So am I.” Gideon starts the car, and with a solid press on the gas pedal, we shoot off. He’s a fast driver, but he’s careful, never taking his eyes off the road, barely engaging in conversation on the short drive to the restaurant,O’Neill’s.

The hostess greets him, and he responds with a familiarity that tells me he’s a regular, which surprises me, considering how simple the establishment is. Not the place you’d expect celebrities to visit. Definitely not a man like Gideon. At least, the pretentious guy I thought he was.

It’s a large space, yet clean, the wooden floor and furniture giving me a rustic feel. Celtic Art paintings adorn the side walls, with a huge, wooden double door at the back and a long bar at the front, which is currently packed with men watching a rugby game. The dining area is also full. Partitions separate each booth, almost like cubicles in an office.

The atmosphere comes even more alive when we enter. Muffled talking and the shutter of cameras sound as we make our way to a booth around the back. I feel their eyes on me, assessing, judging, probably wondering why Gideon chose me out of all the stunning actresses in this town. A flashback surfaces of that rude fan—Lisa, and the way she made me feel. Like a nobody. The insecurities from my past rise with the scrutiny, and like always, I brace for the other shoe to drop. Fake relationship or not, these last three months feel too good to be true.

Gideon gently squeezes my side as if he senses my discomfort. When we get to our table, and the hostess goes off, he gives me a purposeful stare.

“Say the word, and we’re out of here. I don’t want you unhappy for the sake of putting on a show.”

The genuine concern on his face and the words from his mouth make my inner battle so much more intense. I shake my head, summoning a smile I hope looks real. “I’m an actress, remember? A few flashes from phone cameras won’t intimidate me.”

“You say that now until the paparazzi gets wind that we’re here. Remember how they stormed the Death Valley?” He rolls his eyes. “Almost two decades in the business, and I still can’t stand the sons of bitches.”

His comment earns raised brows from me. “I thought you loved the spotlight.”

He shoots me a deadpan stare. “Well, you thought wrong.”

“You’re literally ANON’s most common feature. You looked so at ease in those photos. From my point of view, it seemed like you enjoyed it.”

“I haven’t won any major awards, but I’m still one heck of an actor.” Gideon smirks, spreading his arms.

A server comes up to take our orders while I take Gideon in. Whenever he speaks, he comes alive and gets very animated. As soon as he’s done, his entire countenance becomes withdrawn as if he’s retreating in a shell. Something tells me that’s the real Gideon; reserved, assessing, broody. Why the act, though? Why can’t he be himself?

“Do you enjoy being an actor?” I ask, piggybacking off his last comment.

He shakes his head, and his expression shuts down. “Not anymore.”

“Is that why you retired for two years?” I press.

“Yes.” He quirks a brow at me, frowning. “And if you’re about to enquire why I came back, I won’t tell you. Not until you give me something.”

I wave him off, a nervous flutter making its appearance in my stomach. “There’s nothing to tell. My life is a doozy compared to yours.”

“I don’t care how boring it is. I want to know.” He pauses as the server places our glasses of cranberry juice on the table. “Talking to you is more interesting than digging up the internet for details.”

It’s also much safer. For me, anyway. Clearing my throat, I proceed. “I read romance books in my free time. I’d rather be comfortable than sexy, so I’d choose a pair of leggings and a crop top over this dress, any day. I enjoy cooking, but I hardly have enough time to do it. Latin music is my favorite genre, and I’ve always wanted to learn salsa dancing, but I’m terrified I’ll be no good at it, and I’ll get laughed at. So, I’ve added it to the list of things I’ll probably never do.”

I hunch my shoulders with a casual shrug. “That’s about it, I think.”

Gideon shakes his head. “That’s just the surface, Ana. Tell me more.”

I wet my lips. “Like what?”

“Like why you changed your name.”

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